Single-handed operable surgical instrument including loop electrode with integrated pad electrode

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a handle portion, a shaft extending from the handle portion, a pad electrode coupled to the distal end of the shaft, and a loop electrode configured to be selectively transitioned from a deployed configuration, wherein the loop electrode extends outwardly from a distal end of the shaft in a manner capable of receiving tissue, to a non-deployed configuration, wherein the loop electrode is disposed proximate to the distal end of the shaft, to treat tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
 a handle portion; 
 a shaft extending from the handle portion, the shaft including a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis; 
 a pad electrode coupled to the distal end of the shaft and extending in a plane transverse to the shaft such that the longitudinal axis of the shaft extends through the pad electrode, the pad electrode defining a first opening and a second opening therethrough; and 
 a loop electrode configured to be selectively transitioned between a deployed configuration and a non-deployed configuration to treat tissue, wherein in the deployed configuration, the loop electrode extends outwardly from a distal end of the shaft in a manner capable of receiving tissue, and in the non-deployed configuration, the loop electrode is disposed proximate to the distal end of the shaft, the loop electrode having a first end and a second end, the first end extending through the first opening of the pad electrode, the second end extending through the second opening of the pad electrode; and 
 a torsion spring disposed in the handle portion, the torsion spring configured to exert a force on the loop electrode. 
 
     
     
       2. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first tubular member, the first tubular member at least partially disposed within a lumen defined by the shaft; and 
 a second tubular member, the second tubular member at least partially disposed within the lumen defined by the shaft, wherein the first and second tubular members are configured to receive the loop electrode therein. 
 
     
     
       3. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the first tubular member and the second tubular member are moveable within the shaft. 
     
     
       4. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the first tubular member includes an end portion that extends from the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
       5. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 4 , wherein the second tubular member includes an end portion that extends from the distal end of the shaft. 
     
     
       6. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument of  claim 5 , wherein the end portions of the first and second tubular members are configured to electrically-isolate the loop electrode from the pad electrode. 
     
     
       7. The bipolar surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the handle member includes a sensor configured to indicate a position of the loop electrode.